25 Things Your Restaurant Server Secretly Wants You To Know…

If you want something TELL ME. If you have an allergy COMMUNICATE that to me. If you don’t like your food SPEAK UP.

2. DON’T TELL ME YOU ARE READY WHEN YOU ARE NOT.

When you tell me you are ready I assume that you are going to know what you want. Instead of making me stand there while you decide, ask me to come back. I don’t have all day. You are not the only customer here.

3. I’M HUMAN.

Shocker! I sometimes make mistakes.

4. TELL ME AHEAD OF TIME.

If you need extras or sides that doesn’t bug me. What bugs me is when you ask for something every time I visit your table. Ask for everything up front. It saves me time!

5. BE COURTEOUS.

When I begin to introduce myself and you cut me off with your drink order…that’s extremely rude. Common courtesy…try it sometime.

6. I’M NOT YOUR DOG.

Do not snap your fingers at me or touch me when you need something.

7. WAIT YOUR TURN.

Do not interrupt me for something when I’m taking another table’s order.

8. EXTRA MEANS EXTRA.

If you want something “extra” it’s probably going to cost extra. That’s how things work. Someone has to pay for it. It’s not my rule and I’m definitely not going to risk my job for your $.50 side of ranch.

9. DON’T BLAME ME FOR THE PRICES.

Do you think I came up with these prices myself? I have nothing to do with the prices, so don’t take it out on me. In order to avoid being shocked when you get your bill you should pay attention to those special little numbers on the menu. 😉

10. IF YOU WALK IN WITH A BAD ATTITUDE, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A BAD TIME.

It’s not my fault that you had to wait forever to be sat at a table. No one forced you to wait so don’t make me suffer because you are impatient.

11. I’M NOT A MIRACLE WORKER.

No I can’t make your well-done steak cook faster.

12. CALM DOWN.

If something is wrong with your order just tell me and I will take care of you. There is no need to flip out on me and make a scene…that’s not going to solve anything. It’s only going to make you look like a prick.

13. DON’T CAMP OUT.

If you are going to camp out at your table for hours after you eat AT LEAST leave more of a tip. You are taking money away from your server by taking up a table that another paying customer could be sitting at.

14. BE PATIENT.

If you have to wait for a table, understand that the wait time you are given is an ESTIMATE. We can’t magically make a table appear for you to sit at. The customers sitting at the table actually have to leave in order for us to sit you at their table. And NO we are not going to ask them to leave for you…would you be okay with that if we did it to you?

15. BE PLEASANT.

Yes there are horrible servers and excellent servers out there. But don’t judge all servers based on one bad experience you had. Most of us are doing the best we can and want you to enjoy your time while you are at our restaurant. We aren’t all lazy and aren’t going to spit in your food if you send it back. We are just doing our jobs in order to pay our bills and make a living. We are hard workers and deserve respect just like everyone else. If you want a pleasant experience you can start off by BEING PLEASANT!

16. KNOW YOUR ALLERGIES. PLAN AHEAD.

No I do not know more about your allergy than you do. I am happy to help you find a good option on our menu or ask our chef any questions you may have. But don’t get pissed at me if I don’t know every single ingredient in every single dish at the top of my head. It may take time to find this stuff out. A good rule of thumb…do your research AHEAD of time before visiting the restaurant.

17. THIS IS MY “REAL JOB”.

Don’t ask me what my “real” job is. Last time I checked I wasn’t making monopoly money or paying fake bills. I work my ass off and just because I don’t work a 9 to 5 sitting at an office desk doesn’t mean I don’t work just as hard, if not harder, than you.

18. I WILL GET TO YOU WHEN I CAN.

Just because it doesn’t “look” like I’m busy doesn’t mean I’m not. We are trained to stay as calm as possible no matter how busy or stressed we are. So you have no idea what may be be going on behind the scenes. If I don’t get you your extra napkin within .02 seconds perhaps you should consider I have 376 other requests to fulfill before I get to yours. I will get you your precious napkin as soon as I physically can.

19. NO I’M NOT GOING TO “HOOK YOU UP”.

I don’t care if you know the owner. I don’t know you and I’m surely not going to risk my job for you.

20. CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR KIDS.

If your kid pukes in the restaurant don’t expect your server (you know, the person who is handling your FOOD) to clean it up. It’s YOUR kid therefore it’s YOUR responsibility to clean up after them!

21. I DON’T WANT YOUR MAN.

Ladies, if you are out to eat with your boyfriend/husband and you are being served by a waitress, realize that your server is there to make money, not steal your man. Just because you are insecure doesn’t mean you have to hate me for acknowledging your significant other.

22. DON’T BE A STEREOTYPE.

If you don’t like stereotypes, STOP BEING ONE!

23. TELL ME YOU DON’T TIP AHEAD OF TIME.

If you don’t plan on tipping before you even sit down at a table, let your server know ahead of time. That way they can adjust their service and not waste their time catering to you for free. 🙂

24. IT’S NOT ALWAYS MY FAULT WHEN THINGS GO WRONG.

Look at the WHOLE picture when deciding what to tip. I had no control over your wait. It’s not my fault when we run out of things. I didn’t make the food…

25. MY JOB IS NOT EASY.

There is a lot more to my job than taking orders. My job takes a lot of multitasking skills, patience, stamina, etc. It is a lot more challenging than you may think. Until you have been in my shoes do not assume you know what it is like.